Answer:
Benjamin Banneker was a prominent African American author and scientist who wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson in 1791, advocating for the abolition of slavery. In his letter, Banneker used the Declaration of Independence and Jefferson's own words to support his argument. He pointed out the contradiction between the ideals of freedom and equality espoused in the Declaration of Independence and the institution of slavery that denied these rights to millions of enslaved Africans. Banneker quoted Jefferson's words, "all men are created equal," and argued that this statement should apply to all human beings, regardless of their race or color. He also pointed out the hypocrisy of Jefferson, a slave owner himself, who professed to be a champion of liberty and justice. Banneker's use of these powerful rhetorical tools challenged Jefferson to confront the moral and ethical implications of his position on slavery. Overall, Banneker's letter was a powerful and persuasive argument for the abolition of slavery, grounded in the principles of freedom, equality, and human dignity.